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Coming to the Reliant Astrodome: The Houston Animal Cruelty Festival

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Behad, Jan 14, 2001.

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  1. Behad

    Behad Member

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    Just in case someone here has been living under a rock all their lives, The Houston Livestock Show and Animal Cruelty Festival will be here before you know it.

    First off, let me say that I have lived here all my life (I'm 37). To this day, I'm saddened by this annual barbaric display of animal cruelty disguised as entertainment known as a "rodeo". Let's take a look at the injuries sustained to animals at these events:

    Animals injured or killed at rodeos

    (To be honest with you, I can't read about the injuries anymore, I sick to my stomach. Just check out the link above.)

    Where do these animals come from? Are they wild animals brought straight to the rodeo arena? Hardly. This is from the Humane Society of the United States:

    And the animals used in rodeos do not live on ranches, cared for by the contestants. They are animals who have been rented from stock contractors. Far removed from the range, these animals spend most of their lives in cramped quarters and transportation vehicles and do not always receive proper medical care.

    How are these animals made to perform?:

    "Once in the chute, the bucking horse may be shocked, have her mane or tail pulled, or her faces slapped, all to irritate and anger her before she is further abused by the bucking strap and spurs. Flank straps (straps of rope tied around the animals testicals) are also used to encite the animal.

    The worst, by far, is calf roping: Warning The following series of photos are graphic depiction of cruelty to animals.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I could go on and on, but my point is clear: Rodeos promote and glorify cruelty to animals. It must stop. For more info, see the page:
    http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocruelty/

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    Behad
    Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS

    [This message has been edited by Behad (edited January 13, 2001).]
     
    #1 Behad, Jan 14, 2001
  2. Rockets2K

    Rockets2K Clutch Crew

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    Damn, thats vicious!

    At least I can say that I have NEVER in my 35 years gone to nor gave financially to any redneck activity like that. Goes for hunting too, don't see the point honestly..what did them animals do to me anyway?? Nothing!! so I accord them the same courtesy.

    I just wish others would do the same.
    oh well..
    enough dreaming for tonite

    Thanks for the link Behad



    ------------------
    Scene: Watching the Utah-Houston game at home.

    My daughter: So, those guys in the dark uniforms are the bad guys??

    Me: Yes baby, You nailed it on the head!!

    I'm so proud of my baby!!
     
    #2 Rockets2K, Jan 14, 2001
  3. DAROckets

    DAROckets Member

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    Good post Behad.

    Some of the crap that goes on in the name of entertainment is appalling.

    The rodeo is a relic left over from a by gone era.
    Damm,it's 2001,what should be a time of enlightenment......hmmmm guess not. [​IMG]

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    #3 DAROckets, Jan 14, 2001
  4. CriscoKidd

    CriscoKidd Member

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    This kind of stuff is kind of like a glimpse into the past. Skills and events that used to be important.

    It is outdated and completely useless now. The only thing I can think to compare to it is Bullfighting.

    gross.

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    snap crackle pop
     
    #4 CriscoKidd, Jan 14, 2001
  5. A-Train

    A-Train Member

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    I can tell you one group of people that can stop the rodeo if they wanted to....Musicians

    I've had the displeasure of being dragged to two rodeos by my girlfriend, and both times we went, the only reason she was there was to see John Michael Montgomery...and last year, when JMM wasn't playing at the rodeo?? You guessed it, she had no interest whatsoever...

    I can pretty much guarantee that if the country musicians didn't play at the rodeo, it would be out of business in a couple years...



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    If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding!!
     
    #5 A-Train, Jan 14, 2001
  6. Behad

    Behad Member

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    Exactly A-Train! Why can we have a "Houston Livestock Show and Music Festival" ? Wouldn't this accomplish the goal of providing agricultural scholarships for youth interested in a career in this field? If you take away the rodeo, you can add the prize money to the scholarship fund.



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    Behad
    Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS
     
    #6 Behad, Jan 14, 2001
  7. ROXRAN

    ROXRAN Member

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    Say what you want and think about rodeo, and hunting, but these cherished TEXAN activities will be here when both me and you are long gone.
    I empathize with your feelings, and I am against several aspects of rodeo, but hunting is a part of primal heritage, and one which cannot be taken away, unless it's abused.

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    Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
     
    #7 ROXRAN, Jan 14, 2001
  8. Dr of Dunk

    Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

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    No offense here, ROXRAN, but OH CRY ME AN EFFIN' RIVER. Roping calves for sport has nothing to do with "hunting". Even if we hunt calves, what the hell does that have to do with roping them for fun/sport? Nothing. Shooting skeet, archery, etc. all are good examples of hunters' marksmanship and are good examples of sports passed as tradition -- roping a calf is not necessary.

    As far as you saying hunting cannot be taken away unless it's abused, no one said hunting should be taken away. Roping calves in the rodeo has nothing to do with hunting. When was the last time Mutual of Omaha or the Discovery Channel broke out with the "Hunt of the Wild Calf" episodes?

    I have nothing against hunting as in many cultures both past and present it's a necessity and way of life. That and what we're talking about here are mutually exclusive. Roping calves for spectators is foolishness... and as I said, let them do it with a lion and I'll be impressed.

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    "I personally don't think Jordan would have enjoyed playing with himself." -- JeffB lets us all know that Popeye and Clutch aren't the only ones with inside sources... (also an example of a BBS "sound-bite")
     
    #8 Dr of Dunk, Jan 14, 2001
  9. Behad

    Behad Member

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    Why the emphasis on Texas, ROXRAN? The largest rodeo in the world is held in Calgary, and Wyoming has a bronco rider on their license plates.
    This brings up another aspect of rodeo I abhor. The idea that all Texans are boot-wearing, cowboy hatted yokels, chewing on tobacco and riding a horse to work. This is a stereotype I despise. I'm not saying people should not dress this way. If that is their thing, more power to them. But for three weeks every year, the rest of the country sees our politicians and news anchors dressed up like this and believe everyone in Texas dresses like this. I can proudly say I have never worn, much less owned, a cowboy hat or pair of boots.

    My thoughts on hunting are documented, but this not what I am discussing here.

    As far as celebrating our heritage, I just don't see why animals have to be abused. These activities were not done in the old west, why are they being done now? Can't we honor our past without killing animals for sport and entertainment?



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    Behad
    Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS
     
    #9 Behad, Jan 14, 2001
  10. Rockets2K

    Rockets2K Clutch Crew

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    As the only one to mention hunting, I'll field that one, Roxran

    I never said hunting SHOULD BE taken away..I just said that I didn't see the point and wished others would also...nothing more.
    It is everyones right to do stuff like that if they want, I'm certainly not advocating anyone taking away our rights. I'm not a republican! [​IMG]

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    no sig here

    [This message has been edited by Rockets2K (edited January 14, 2001).]
     
    #10 Rockets2K, Jan 14, 2001
  11. DEANBCURTIS

    DEANBCURTIS Member

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    Completely agree with you Behad.

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    Ceo of the Walt Williams fan club. Web site coming soon


    atheistalliance.org
     
    #11 DEANBCURTIS, Jan 14, 2001
  12. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    Once we demolish this event
    Let's stop thos Cruelty to Plant
    events like them stupid Lumberjack things
    I see on ESPN 2 . ..
    Why is it entertainment to chop
    down a tree that has grown for over 100 yrs
    in 90 seconds . . . .

    I think this event is bootie, wack and stupid
    We tolerate alot of cruel [hell what the
    f*ck is sport fishing. . hook'em in the mouth
    and then throw them back in the water]

    I just don't find myself caring
    about these events too much
    one way or another.

    Rocket River

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    #12 Rocket River, Jan 14, 2001
  13. Behad

    Behad Member

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    Then why bother interrupting a discussion with an opinion that has no bearing one way or the other?



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    Behad
    Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS
     
    #13 Behad, Jan 14, 2001
  14. Special Patrol Group

    Special Patrol Group Member

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    Houston will always deserve its redneck image as long as this remains a signature event. It's freaking ridiculous that the Rockets can't sell out a home game while this salute to the inbred and the toothless is a huge draw every year.

    And sadly, with the looming completion of Reliant Stadium, it looks like it's going to be quite a while before Houston does away with this cruelty fest and joins the bit of America that has let go of the 1800s.

    The fourth largest city in the country, and the world's biggest rodeo is a source of unending civic pride. Feh.
     
    #14 Special Patrol Group, Jan 15, 2001
  15. Dr of Dunk

    Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

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    I agree with this post and great thread topic. I have yet to figure out why roping a damn calf is considered something to be applauded. I'm no animal-hugger, but some rodeo events have got to be the stupidest things ever thought up. I know it's slow in the country, but damn people, I'd rather watch somebody shoot tin cans off a fence with a sling-shot than watch baby animals getting ridden into the ground like they do at these events.

    Here's my suggestions for the yayhoos that thought this up. Replace the calf with a lion, then tie a steak around your neck... now go do your ropin'... my ass'll be impressed. [​IMG]

    The other one I notice is the "calf scramble" (I think that's the one). Isn't that where you have a bunch of kids running around trying to tackle a calf or something? Man, I swear everytime I see something like that I pray that the calf will smack one of those kids in the leg, chest, I don't care where and do some serious injury. Maybe then these people will consider how dumbass these exhibitions are.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

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    "I personally don't think Jordan would have enjoyed playing with himself." -- JeffB lets us all know that Popeye and Clutch aren't the only ones with inside sources... (also an example of a BBS "sound-bite")
     
    #15 Dr of Dunk, Jan 15, 2001
  16. Dr of Dunk

    Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

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    I don't even think we can lay claim to that as the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada is generally regarded as the "world's largest rodeo".

    Either way, I don't mind the redneck image as much as I don't get the abuse of some poor animal for something so trivial.

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    "I personally don't think Jordan would have enjoyed playing with himself." -- JeffB lets us all know that Popeye and Clutch aren't the only ones with inside sources... (also an example of a BBS "sound-bite")
     
    #16 Dr of Dunk, Jan 15, 2001
  17. Behad

    Behad Member

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    I found this alternative to the calf scramble, DoD. It shows that violence is not necessary if they want to involve kids in the events:

    BOOT SCRAMBLE

    A special addition to this year's West of the Pecos Rodeo is geared
    toward children.
    A boot scramble, where each child ages 4-12 will take off one boot upon
    entering the rodeo. All boots will be placed in two separate piles.

    During the course of the rodeo, the children will be asked to go look
    for their pair, the first child to find his or her boot will be declared the winner.

    Doesn't this sound like a better idea?


    Read this account from a rodeo in Liberty, Texas in October of last year:

    There was also a "Calf Scramble," in which over a dozen children were set upon very small calves. For over 15 minutes, the children treated the calves so roughly that over half the young animals collapsed from stress and exhaustion. Treatment included headlocks tail pulling and twisting, dragging, jumping on them, etc. Calves who wouldn't or couldn't get up on their own were manhandled to their feet by their ears and tails by a rodeo clown.


    DISGUSTING [​IMG] [​IMG]

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    Behad
    Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS

    [This message has been edited by Behad (edited January 15, 2001).]
     
    #17 Behad, Jan 15, 2001
  18. RocketsPimp

    RocketsPimp Member

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    Behad, I'm glad you posted this because I feel the same way. It thoroughly disgusts me that these things take place in our city and that these pompous rednecks have the nerve to call their cruelty a sport! What I'd give to see their $hit kicking, tobacco chewing a$$es chased down, roped and hog tied in an arena for an entire nation to watch all in the name of sporting entertainment and education.

    [​IMG]

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    "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Gandhi
     
    #18 RocketsPimp, Jan 15, 2001
  19. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    We can discuss the merits of the Cruelty to
    Animals argument forever. Along with the
    Cruelty to plants . . . or hell something as
    boring and non important as CRUELTY TO HUMANS

    From what I see in this sport is a bunch of
    Wrestling with the animal that is no where near
    the Cruelty of Sports Fishing or Bull Fighting
    In fact I do not find the Rodeo anywhere near those.
    I'm NO COWBOY but this seems closer to Football
    than to Bullfight

    Football is not about paralyzing/hurting/killing
    someone . .
    It is about using various amounts of skills
    to accomplish some goal.
    Bullfight is about skill also but the whole
    event is based on torturing these animals.

    The major difference in Football vs the Rodeo
    is that the animals are not volunteers.
    Therefore some of the cruelty you scream about
    is used to entice them to participate
    [Mainly spurs for bull riding and bronc bustin']

    In the general scheme of things no where
    near a hook in the mouth or several swords
    poke in ya body until ya die.

    some who argue Boxing is Far more Cruel.
    But this is ok . .. it's only humans.

    Rocket River
    are you a vegitarian?

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    #19 Rocket River, Jan 15, 2001
  20. SamCassell

    SamCassell Member

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    Its not cruel because its consentual. They aren't forced to box.

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    "Thirty-seven?" -Randall, Clerks
    www.clutchtown.com
     
    #20 SamCassell, Jan 15, 2001
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